NAIDOC Week 2016

Banknote's Songline

NAIDOC Week 2016 focuses on the ‘Songlines’ recorded in traditional songs, stories, dance and art of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Songlines carry significant spiritual and cultural
connection to knowledge, customs, ceremony and lore. With 2016 also marking the 50th anniversary of
the introduction of decimal currency, the Bank takes the opportunity to share information about the
introduction of Indigenous designs into the nation’s banknotes.

Indigenous designs were prominent on Gordon Andrews' $1 banknote showing designs based on
a bark painting by David Malangi Daymirringu and Aboriginal rock carvings, with watermark
of Captain James Cook.

When Gordon Andrews won the competition to create Australia's first decimal banknotes he set out to
depict a broader range of national figures, industries and enterprises than had previously been
represented on the nation's currency. He also gave Indigenous designs prominence on Australia's
banknotes for the first
time.

Following a long-time tradition, the signature side of Gordon Andrews' $1 banknote showed a portrait
of Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the regalia of the Order of the Garter. On the other side
the innovative artist introduced designs based on Aboriginal rock carvings and a bark painting by
David Malangi Daymirringu (Manyarmgu language, Arnhem region).

The painting describes the 'mortuary feast' of Gunmirringu, one of the artist's creation ancestors,
and a strand of the myriad tales known as a Songline. Also described as a dreaming track or tracks,
Songlines trace the
journeys of ancestral spirits who sang the land into life, creating rivers, lakes, plants, land
formations and living creatures.

Front of the $1 banknote, showing Queen Elizabeth II in the regalia of the Order of the Garter,
with watermark of Captain James Cook

This insight into the design of the first decimal $1 banknote is just one of the highlights of The Decimal Revolution, the exhibition
featured in the Head Office banking chamber
that marks the 50th anniversary of decimal currency in Australia. The exhibition describes the
social background of the 1960s as well as other aspects of the new currency's design. It also
highlights the interest that the Bank's first Governor, Dr HC 'Nugget' Coombs, took in Aboriginal
affairs. After he left the Bank, Coombs played a key role in consulting on Indigenous affairs for
the government of then prime minister, Gough Whitlam, particularly championing Aboriginal land
rights.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors should be aware that this Museum website may contain
images or
names of deceased people.
While we make every reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of information, some of the content on this
site may contain inconsistencies or errors regarding dates, as recorded by different agencies or
individuals.